- Locally sourced ingredients, valuing community engagement helping succeed
Interview with Gohar Iqbal — co-founder/managing partner, Johnny & Jugnu
Gohar Iqbal, co-founder and managing partner of Johnny & Jugnu, is a young entrepreneur who is leading the charge in introducing Pakistani-style fast food to the world. With 14 planned outlets across Pakistan in the next 2 years, Johnny & Jugnu is quickly becoming a staple in the country’s food scene.
Gohar’s passion for cooking and business started at a young age, learning traditional recipes passed down through generations in his mother and grandmother’s kitchen. He went on to graduate with a Bachelor’s in Economics from LUMS in 2014, with a focus on law and marketing. After graduation, Gohar decided to pursue his dream of opening his restaurant.
In 2014, Gohar, along with his instructor Dr. Adnan, opened a small fast-food restaurant with a budget of around Rs 50-60K. Despite their efforts, the restaurant didn’t take off as they had hoped, and they were forced to close it down a year later. But Gohar refused to let this setback define him.
A year later, the idea to re-open Johnny & Jugnu struck him and his team. This time, they were determined to make it work. They rented a small outlet in DHA Phase 4 and focused on recipe development and marketing. They gave out attractive burger boxes to people who were active on food forums and passionate about burgers. This strategy helped them create hype and they started getting noticed. When they finally opened their doors, sales went up daily and they were short of people in the kitchen. This was proof that their burgers were selling not because of marketing, but because of the taste. New customers were mainly referred by their friends and family members.
Gohar attributes his success to his passion for cooking, dedication to using only the highest quality ingredients, and commitment to supporting local farmers and suppliers. He also values community engagement and often hosts events such as cooking classes and charity fundraisers at his restaurants.
As Johnny & Jugnu continues to expand, Gohar and his team are committed to bringing the best of Pakistani fast food to the world. Gohar’s unique perspective as the first entrepreneur in a family of white collar workers allows him to understand the challenges faced in breaking through barriers, both cultural and economic, to build businesses from scratch. In his spare time, Gohar is an avid Marvel fan and aspiring kite surfer.
One thing that sets Johnny & Jugnu apart from other fast food restaurants is their commitment to using locally sourced, high-quality ingredients. Gohar and his team work closely with local farmers and suppliers to ensure that their menu items are made with the freshest, most flavorful ingredients. By supporting local agriculture, Johnny & Jugnu is not only creating delicious food but also contributing to the growth and sustainability of Pakistan’s food industry.
Another aspect of Johnny & Jugnu that sets it apart is their focus on community engagement. Gohar and his team understand the importance of building relationships with their customers and giving back to the community. They often host events such as cooking classes and charity fundraisers at their restaurants, creating a sense of community and engagement that extends beyond just serving great food.
Our organization is driven to be a leading player in the food industry, which is why we are always looking to innovate and improve our internal processes. However, we also believe in being a socially responsible company.
We prioritize the well-being of our employees and work to create new opportunities for them to grow professionally and personally. As part of this effort, we’re currently in the process of introducing a therapy facility that provides confidential support to our team members for their mental health and well-being.
We understand that in today’s fast-paced world, stress and anxiety can have a significant impact on our employees’ mental health. Therefore, we provide them with a supportive and healthy work environment where they can thrive. We strive to make a positive impact on our community, not just through our products and services, but also by investing in initiatives that support social and environmental causes. By prioritizing the growth and well-being of our employees, we aim to build a trusted brand and make a positive contribution to society.